Another week. Another chapter.

I know it's a little late, but I've been pretty busy these past few days, so I've been struggling to get this chapter out.

But here it is!

Thank you all for coming back and giving me your wonderful comments from the last few chapters :)

I'm sad to say, but it seems we are climbing towards the climax of our story very soon...

Thankfully, there's going to be OTSH Part 2!

To my wonderful, wonderful fans: thank you all so much for your support and dedication to my story, and I hope you will stick with me for just awhile longer.

You guys are all such sweetsparks! :D

Enjoy!

Of The Spark And Heart

Part 1

Chapter 45

Winding, lengthy roads stretched in a waved pattern across the barren landscape and slithered into the masses of jagged cliffs. A striking black against the dull browns, there sit a gleaming, squat silver fence weaved alongside it. Dust picked up with the wind, curling like smoke amongst the space. To a regular being traversing amongst these dangerous paths, the visibility would be sparse at best. A sheen of cutting microscopic pebbles and suffocating dust clung to the skies so thickly that the rays of the sun were mostly blocked to the wary eye.

However, to the six far from regular beings rumbling along the earth-laden pathway, the inconvenience was but a small one. Headlights on and wheels turning so quickly that it couldn't be safe for anything but one of them, the five blurs on the road roared along under the pelting fog of dirt towards the near horizon. Leading this group was the incredible sight of a heavily customized, flame-painted Peterbilt truck, followed by a brightly colored H2O Hummer, scarlet red Ferrari 458 Italia, Camouflaged-painted armored assault vehicle, yellow and black Comaro, and a black and crimson Boss 302 Mustang.

Because there was a lack of civilian vehicles currently taking to the dangerously curvy road, the five speeding aliens had no trouble making good time on their way through the states. In their current position, they were less than a few days' journey from making their destination. The yellow peer of the travelers was the most hyped of them all, nearly vibrating with unreleased energy. His frustration and worry could be felt by them all as clear as the black stripes running along his frame.

Another, lesser agitated creature roared along beside him, taking his time with his comrades by staying as silent as possible through this trip. Not one word had been spoken by the mech, which was quite the different circumstance compared to the sun-yellow scout. If the Mustang kept his comlink open for one click longer, he was sure his CPU was going to overload with all the impatient comments made by the usually chipper figure.

~I'm only suggesting we increase our speed so as to better our incoming arrival time and exert less energy.~ Bumblebee input for the thousandth time over. Mirages' sigh was heard through his connection with the rest of the Autobot volunteers, his own response being that of both Spanish, and his most recently learned dialect, Italian. Solas revved his engine in irritation, but said nothing, refusing to drop his vow of quiet until he was directly addressed. Besides, he was too far engrossed in his thought processes to care much about his quarreling friends' issues anyway.

~You had pointed out that fact more than once Bumblebee.~ Optimus replied, his amusement obvious, ~However, it may be in our best interests to pace ourselves towards our goal instead of rushing.~

~But we chugged our reserves full back at the base! It would be ridiculous to just sit back and waste them by taking our time!~

~Arcee is not going anywhere soon Bee, so calm yourself before you overheat and we have to tow you to Wyoming.~ Ratchet piped up, slowing himself so he was hovering beside the cyberling. Solas pressed lightly to his brakes so he would edge more to the rear, where Titanios was remaining as vigilant as he was.

The former Decepticon was traveling with Solas and the 'Bots because he had overheard the mission forming for those willing to attempt rescuing Arcee, and that this said mission was supposedly nearby the location of the Decepticon base. Solas, being the cautious mech he was, had protested against searching for the captured fembot near a place that could very well be one of hundreds of places taken into 'Con control, but Bumblebee and the others had insisted that because it was closest to Arcee's last known location, that she would most likely be around that area. Titanios was cooperative in volunteering to take the Autobots to his former faction's stronghold, though his hesitance was almost as bad as Solas' own when it came to the risks.

Maybe things would have been better if they had stayed in Washington D.C and waited for a better opportunity to perhaps seek out the sniper fembot. Solas wouldn't have minded staying for a few weeks longer at the base: thinking out a plan, delving deeper into the facts, and maybe spending some very serious time to think about what it was he was doing with Fera not a week earlier. It had to of been the drain of his holoform on his systems, he was sure of it. Otherwise, he would not of usually acted in that way.

It had been her to move first, and to capture him in her incredible gaze. It had been her first to drag him down ontop of her when she wished to escape his tickle torture. And it had been her whom had filled his bond with such a flurry of uncontrollable urge that he couldn't help himself from following her lead. He had wanted to break away and regain himself, if only to maybe figure out these conflicting feelings inside of him. But alas, he couldn't, and he was trapped in moving without reason and without self-control. There had never been a time before when Solas was so confused and filled with such longing. Where was his spark's mind? Why did he feel this way? Inside of him, deep within the smoldering abyss of his pathetic life so far, was a pulsing knot of his spark that called nonstop. Calling, calling, calling...

Her face had come so close to his own that he could sense the natural heat of her skin through the hologram. The sensitive construct of the hologram had captured even the wispy feel of her hair against his fleshy digits as he swiped aside the strands from her face. And from the way her amazingly soft servo had brushed over his false face to study the scars he'd placed there in honor of their past, he not dare pull away. Then that curious look had crossed her ivory features and that unfathomable pull on his spark had willed him to mimic his charge. They inched together, a haze befalling Solas' processes as his simulated lips came so close to her own, his spark pounding erratically...

Calling, calling, calling...

~I do not blame you for not placing your trust upon me when I offered to take us to my former comrades' hosting grounds. I was one of them after all.~

Solas jolted at the sound of Titanios' voice over the comlink. Being a newer addition to the Autobot comlink system, Titanios was one to become used to when he addressed someone over the link. Because of this, the black and red mech wasn't very graceful when he accidentally swerved and almost sent himself over the railing to plummet to the unforgiving ground below. A squealing scream arose from his tires as he darted to the side, hoping to correct himself. By doing this, he almost knocked into Mirage, whom was forced to speed up in order to avoid the incoming Guardian. ~Hey, watch it muchacho!~ the red Ferrari growled as Sol's movement calmed. He regained himself after a moment and sent an apologetic message back to the 'Bot for almost colliding with him.

~My trust is reserved for those whom I deem are able to carry it.~ Sol broke his silence for the first time in speaking with Titanios, ~For saving my charge...you are one I have placed it upon.~

~I am glad to of been granted your trust, considering you are a larger involvement in Fera's life.~

~And my trust means more to you because of Fera? What is her importance to you now that she is safe?~ a defensive edge crept into Solas' tone unintentionally, which he tried to hide by grating his engine in an attempt to mask the almost possessive hint. It was in vain however, for Titanios had seemed to catch onto the mech's mistake quite easily. ~Fera is but a comrade of mine that I feel relief in by her safer and far happier environment. What is she to you?~ the former 'Con challenged unemotionally.

The Autobot being spoken to drew into himself apprehensively, his speed falling for a split second as he took far too long to answer. Dust pelted his vents, causing him to jerk for a moment and try to dislodge the particles with a few violent coughs. A brief flash from the lights on Ratchet's roof blared through the dusk, signaling his spot just a few yards ahead. ~Is everything alright back there? I am picking up some discomfort from your systems Solas.~ the medic questioned. Solas finally got the annoying earth from his vents and he opened his link to Ratchet. ~I am fine Ratchet.~ the mech managed, changing his comlink back to Titanios before the yellow-green Autobot CMO could argue.

~She is my charge and a close friend. It has become my sworn duty to protect her with my life is so required.~ a definite and solid answer.

~Then I am confused when I recall your behavior when around said female. I found in my research that these gestures would be one made by the 'overly-protective boyfriend' of a human pair of mates. Am I correct?~

If Solas were in his mech form, he would have maybe missed a step or quit cycling in pure shock. However, since he was in his vehicular mode, his astonishment was made clear by his slamming on the breaks and his body fishtailing to a halt as his comrades sped on forward past him. Solas was literally left in their dust as they made their way around the bend, disappearing behind an outcropping of rock. Solas' hood vibrated with his steaming engine, his systems working double time to calm his racing spark. As the sounds of his peers grew more and more distant, Solas was able to eventually recover himself enough to begin to follow behind them.

And in a shouting, strangled voice, Solas called after the very mech whom he'd been speaking to only moments before:

~I am not Fera's boyfriend!~

Warmth spread throughout the still form, her clothing doing nothing to stop the wonderful heat spreading in her body. Though the surface she laid on was hard, she felt no discomfort as she curled up. A grin stretched across her face, the content feeling in her heart causing her to fall deeper in sleep. Her arms wrapped tightly closer to her chest, the feel of her heartbeat like a lullaby. Each thump of the organ reminded her of who was there, dwelling so closely, yet still so far away. And even as he was miles and miles away from her, she felt as though he was holding her in his hand, clutched to his own pumping core.

Those times when he held her so near to his spark were the times she loved best, and wouldn't dare trade for anything. Never before did she feel so safe, and caught up in the enormity of his hand was almost like a metallic sling, protecting her from the fears and terrors she felt from life. Nightmares were meaningless when she held onto her heart, while any and all problems she felt impossible could easily be solved by a single touch from him. She forgot about her scars and her memories while she brushed her heart to his own; to the point even where she no longer bore the responsibilities of the Stone. She could laugh here, and she could cry here, without a hint of judgment. Instead, there was...understanding.

Fera felt her stomach flip for a moment, the feeling of the floor being knocked from below her causing her eyebrows to knit in confusion. Her eyelids cracked open, snapping her from her languid nap and forcing her to take in what was going on around her. Chalk grey from the concrete walls met her vision first, with the scaffolds and balconies coming into focus not long after. This did not look like Solas' berthroom -as he kept calling it-, where Fera had been given a mattress, and a nest of blankets and pillows to sleep on while with him.

Random people from around the base walked along the structures attached to the walls, going along with their day without noticing Fera passing by. The teenager however became confused and disoriented, unable to remember how she could suddenly be able to float. Her body lifted and fell, coming in tune with the quiet thuds echoing every so often underneath her. Up on one hand, Fera could suddenly comprehend the height she was at as she leaned forward and peered down at the ground below. Being so high up without any sense of safety made her heart jump, and she threw herself back at the sight. Her arms flung behind her, and she shoved herself backwards and away from the ledge.

Familiar finger-like appendages angled up before her to keep her from falling off. Fera tipped her head back, bringing her knees up to her chest as she peered behind her. A barrage of bright orange, yellow, and red met her view, giving away the one who'd kidnaped her immediately.

"Rodimus?!" she squeaked, causing him to look down at her, "What the hell!" she steadied herself on the mech's palm as he curved his fingers towards her. The 'Bot continued walking calmly, not saying a word until they had turned a corner and started for some sort of elevator towards the far rear of the path. Fera recognized this area of the base from her wanderings the past week as the storage area, holding both the human and Cybertronian supplies. On the left, large metallic doors soared almost to the ceiling, allowing any sized Autobot entry inside. On the right, appropriate entryways were made for the smaller of the creatures around the building.

Rodimus ignored these and moved on to stand at the entrance of an enormous set of heavy doors. He punched in the keys and patiently waited for the barriers to part. When they did, an ominous creak sounded loud enough to make Fera's stomach turn and fill with nerved butterflies. Rodimus walked on, despite the sketchy noise, and tread into the spacious metal box. Fencing made up the entirety of the walls, allowing someone to see into the inner lining of the shaft as they would shift. Gears screeched and groaned as the thick cables began moving the box downward, seemingly unaffected by the mech's weight. Bright lights attached to the shaft blared into the space as they declined, while a single hanging bulb above them swung pathetically on a single thin wire.

"You recall the trek beneath your earth's surface when Soulsearcher's frame had been laid to rest in the caverns?" Rodimus spoke for the first time, his tone emotionless. Fera twisted around, angling her head up at him. He wasn't watching her any longer, his gaze set ahead of him into the distant air. "Of course I do." she almost murmured, not very keen on bringing up the memory.

The most she was willing to recall on that event was every known Autobot and human on base had been down there at the time. A still fembot's frame was already presented, her head covered by fabric that held small designs and glyphs from the Cybertronian language. Fera knew she didn't want to see what had become of the fembot beneath that cloth, and she still held that belief now. However, the most clear of her memories from then had to be the absolute chaos that had erupted after the discovery of the two mechs had been found. Apparently, many had known these deceased mechs, for even Epps became enraged when they were discovered. Their names had been Ironhide and Jazz, and Fera had been one of the few whom held confused expressions from finding the pair. No Autobot in the space had been silent, and that included Solas Kaon, whom had nearly dropped her when he put in his own opinion in the pandemonium.

Rethalia Prime had left it all, her emotions unclear. Optimus looked like he had wanted to follow, but Fera was surprised to see him stay and attempt to calm the crowd down instead. Finally, he succeeded, but only after the damage had been done.

"Then you will recognize this place I am bringing you to." at Rodimus' comment, the elevator came to a jolting stop, causing the Autobot to sway for a few seconds before the doors parted. Fera's skin prickled with the flush of chilled, underground air as it filed into the steel cube they stood in. The vastness of the cave was felt immediately upon the opening of the doors. Rodimus stepped out, getting a loud snap from the elevator as he did so. Elevators were not always a friend of Fera's, and now more than ever, she dreaded climbing onto one. Says the girl who kick a jet's wheel and tried to crash it, she teased herself skeptically.

The cavern was the same as it had been then, except for the fact that it was far less crowded, and there was a missing fembot corpse there as well. A rugged, irregular ceiling bowed above the group located not far away, the surface littered with stalactites. Bluish darkness stretched from each crack and crevice, slowly bleeding towards those who stood below them. A deeper shadow collected at the surrounding perimeter of the area, covering secrets and whispering stories far within the protection of night. Silent promises and an eery sense of being watched secreted from the surroundings.

Fera pulled closer into herself, unsettled by the appearance of the still black beyond the curtain of artificial light. Around ten of these floodlights were situated around the room, spreading a sort of security where there should have been further ghouls and clawing tendrils from the unseen depths of the cave.

Two other Cybertronians were standing beside the giant metal beds that held Ironhide and Jazz, bringing the total of the gathered to four. Fera noticed the lack of white blankets covering the two mechs, and she couldn't help but stare at both as Rodimus approached. Jazz was not a taller mech, and his smaller size made Fera immediately figure that he was a handicapped feature in battle. However, from the stories she'd been told about both, she knew that was far from the truth. There wasn't really anything wrong with the mech either, besides various scratches, scrapes, and a single, long welding climbing across the width of his waist to disappear behind.

Ironhide on the other hand was a different story. He was covered in disgusting brownish rust, large slabs of armoring and paint torn away by the erosive substance. She could barely make out that his shoulders may have been broader at one point, and she struggled to distinguish the straggled mess of his arms. Which, were but a few scraggly wires and some surviving black plates hanging on weakly by lines and bolts. The feebleness found in his midsection and upper chest seemed to cave in towards where his spark should be, the hole lined with more rust. One of his legs was disconnected, while the other appeared ready to fall off as well. The sorry excuse for his head was strapped on by some welds and wiring. He appeared as though a single breath may turn him to ash. Beside that, Ironhide's state was not the most eye-catching feature for her.

Both fallen figures' eyes were a cold, deathly black.

A shiver ran through Fera's spine, and she fought to control the chill in her heart. Seeing such fighters of legend brought to these conditions made her finally remember that even titans could die. Even these Autobots, though larger than life and seemingly above death itself, could perish. And just as they could be brought down, so could Solas Kaon. Sol was one of them, and she constantly had to remind herself that, just like Ironhide and Jazz, he was neither immortal nor invincible. Flashbacks of her earlier time with the Autobots threw her back to when Solas had fallen himself, his own pair of teal orbs dying to an onyx shade.

The two Autobots taking sentinel position at the heads of the beds looked up at Fera and Rodimus, neither speaking until Rodimus had reached the foot of one of the beds and set Fera atop. Thankfully, it was Jazz's, so Fera would not be forced to gaze upon a ruined and rotting creature like Ironhide. For now, Jazz appeared like he was simply sleeping. It was a far more innocent looking death. It was peaceful. Ironhide showed the effects of war and the tolls one could gain from it. Fera stubbornly kept her eyes focused on the Autobots, unwilling to appear rude in staring at their deceased.

The first 'Bot was a black and white mech that Fera had recognized around base and came to be known as Prowl. Being as trapped as she was in the base, the teen was easily able to hear quite a few stories of Prowl's indifferent emotions and the cool and collected nature he emitted. Now however, he only looked down on her with his arms crossed and his expression seemingly displeased. The other occupant of the group was Cloudsong, Ratchet's shy apprentice from before. Speaking with the fembot had been near impossible when she had first met her, but as time drew on and Fera had passed her more and more in the halls, she had laid out a sort of foundation for a form of friendship between them.

Cloudsong grinned softly at Fera, her features kinder than that of her comrade's. In her hands she held a single black plate full of rust, the other clutching a rag soaked in some form of clear liquid. "Greetings Fera, you have come here to see our progress with Ironhide and Jazz?" she wondered, her voice surprisingly even. Fera shrugged, turning to Rodimus, "He brought me here in my sleep, so I truly have no clue why I'm here Cloudsong." her eyes narrowed at the mech, but he didn't react. Instead, he moved to lean up against Ironhide's table, crossing his own arms.

"I brought her here so she may properly experience the two comrades we hope to bring back some kalon." he noted, looking between Cloudsong and Prowl. Cloudsong's smile fell, her hand stalling on the black armor she held while she glanced to Prowl. The black and white Autobot revved at Rodimus, sounding almost as if he had snorted at him. Fera raised her eyebrows, not really liking the almost skeptical sound he'd made. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind to express every classified file we have with the human. You seem adamant on informing her of our species clearly enough as it is, without your own peers' confirmation." Prowl dropped his arms, moving around Jazz to stand at his side.

He then looked down on Fera, his eyes slimming, "There are things we do not with to compromise as of this moment in time Rodimus, remember that." Rodimus moved as if he meant to say something, but Fera put up a hand, her own piercing, icy irises slimming into razor-sharp slits.

"I do not appreciate being talked about as if I'm not here," she snapped, her voice irritated, "especially not when you're berating me for something I had the right to know."

"The right? Our species' information is our own, to classify as we please." Prowl met Fera's glare head on, appearing completely unaffected by her scorching stare. Fera merely became more agitated, her ivory hands balling to fists. "But when that information involves me, I'm pretty sure that automatically includes me in the classifying of it. Rodimus did nothing wrong in telling me exactly what I've been going to you all for the past months for. Whatever it was you weren't telling me, I went to him." her nails bit into the flesh of her palms, "Unlike you all, I feel like Rodimus and Solas are the only ones who tell me anything."

"And my peers would be just in holding their knowledge." Prowl set a hand on the bed, his body slightly leant forward, "There are instances where your instruction is not necessary- where your abilities are not necessary."

"Prowl, Fera is right by some amount...she needs to be informed if she is to...help us." Cloudsong spoke up gently, the armoring she was cleaning brought close to her chest. Her eyebrows burrowed in concern, while the tone of her voice sounded cautious. Prowl caused Fera's anger to spike when he set his merciless glare from Fera to the sweetheart Cloudsong, his voice no less harsh than it was for the human. "Her knowledge of us is to stay contained until properly required otherwise. For now, the mere fact that you have put belief in her capabilities is later structure for her utter disappointment."

Fera barked a laugh and stepped forward, stopping when she came within a few feet of Jazz's leg, "Disappointment? You don't think this thing works?" she lifted a hand and held up the Stone of Primus, her expression disbelieving, "Do you not know what happened back in Saint Louis? When I revived Solas Kaon?"

"Out of mistake." Prowl input.

It took everything Fera had to rein in her patience and not let it bubble up over at this 'Bot. He was only being stubborn was all. She couldn't blame him that he wouldn't believe what happened back at the old base, for Fera herself barely believed it herself. But, all she knew now was that Solas was alive and that she had done it. Her heart pounded at the memory, and she subconsciously reached out for Solas, whom immediately returned the gesture with a warm regard.

"Maybe. But he's here now, isn't he?"

"That does not imply however that you may have the ability to control the Stone of Primus."

The carelessness in his voice was infuriating. And the way he quickly threw away any and all possibility for his friends' lives to be given back to them was even more so. Was this what he really thought? Was his life so sad that he would be knocked into such a solid state of reason and logic that he wouldn't ever allow himself to believe in something for a change? Unless he was hiding. Fera's lips hardened into a line as she convinced herself that the only reason for Prowl's being so obtuse was because he had fallen so hard before, and was afraid to do so again.

"If it's happened once, it can again, you simply must put more faith in her Prowl." Rodimus reasoned. Prowl's eyes darted up to the mech, but before he could speak, Fera cut in, unwilling to listen to another lie from his lips. One more, and she may just go over the edge. "Why can't you believe in me and what I can do for you all? I'm here to help you." he's hurting, he's hurting, she repeated to herself. This mantra was her one and only peace towards him.

"The illogical magnitude of your statement is both offensive and utterly ridiculous. To put false hope in my comrades demands unforgivable classification towards your presence."

"Haven't you heard from the others? From Optimus?"

Prowl crossed his arms again, seemingly unconvinced. "Trifling ideals made by the impressionable." he intoned.

Fera's mouth perked into an incredulous grin, "Don't you dream? Can't you think for one second that there maybe a chance your friends might come back?" her hands suddenly flew in the air, flipping by her head as she tried wrapping herself around the fact that this Autobot was being so...so...stupid! As she paced, she continued, "Don't you care that I could possibly bring them back from the dead and return them to you? They were taken from you so unfairly, and yet you act like you don't give two fucks about them! I can't believe that you would be so fixed on scientific fact that you won't even consider the one chance your friends may have at living again! If I'd gotten that-"

"I do care! Of course I care!"

At the sound of Prowl's suddenly angry tone, Fera jumped, her body spinning around in surprise at hearing the mech's raised voice. Prowl was staring down at her, the grip on his arms tight enough that she could see faint dents appearing under his fingers. Without warning, he abruptly slammed his fists into the table, causing it to shake under the strike. Fera backed up a few steps, her eyebrows knitted and her mind racing.

"If there was any chance Jazz or the others could come back, I would be one of the first to step up. If it meant I would be forced to sacrifice my life so they could live again..." his volume lessoned, becoming just above a whisper. The tenseness inside his arms loosened and he looked away from her, appearing almost ashamed. Just as quickly as he'd become provoked, he tore himself away from the bed, facing away from her.

"I would do it in a sparkbeat." pain laced with his voice, making Fera's own heart pulse in empathy. She knew how it felt to be so helpless and have an opportunity that seemed far too good to be true right at the tips of her fingers. When her father had been in the hospital, the doctors had said that he'd had a chance of survival. A slim one, but one nonetheless. Then, to have that slight chance ripped away, before it could even come true...

Prowl was a mirror of herself. He was afraid. And because he was, she was too. Jazz and Ironhide are to him what her father was to her: family. And his family was gone.

Wanting to be that one pillar that stood for her upon her father's grave, Fera stepped around Jazz's feet, starting for Prowl. His hand was on the bed, supporting his body as he allowed his weight over it, his free hand over his face. He looked exhausted. Just as she had.

And placing a hand over his, Fera made well sure her eyes connected with his when he looked up at her, his own so agonized. They were pleading, no begging, for a hint of truth in her words. He wanted her to be able to help his family. He was just afraid to believe.

"Let me help you." she murmured, meaning for these words to be for him and him alone, "Give me a chance, and I promise, I will not let what happened to me, happen to you. I won't allow it, no matter the cost I must make." this swear was one she would take to her grave. If she failed, it would be that thing that tipped her. She would have no purpose here. Solas and the Stone were her meanings for her time here, so why put hope in another that she didn't know she was even worthy to give? Let him hope, she decided, squeezing her hand over one of his fingers. Let him give me a reason not to fail; to achieve the impossible.

And he smiled.

Footsteps echoed eerily off the cold black walls surrounding the lithe figure as they strode confidently down the hall toward their goal. Two piercing, bright red optics sliced through the gloom and added to the overall chill one received when they saw the prowling fembot. Soldiers wisely moved out of the way as she passed, jumping aside in the memory of the former time when she had gone on a rampage and took out almost half of her entire soldier populace on deck. She was on a mission, and she would take out any whom dare stand in her way. No matter who they may be.

Flamewar appeared in the doorway of one of the rooms in the hall her leader was currently passing through, her servo placed on the steel frame while she watched Arachnid with a unimpassioned posture. If it weren't already known that these two hated one another, then any sane form reckless enough to cross their paths now as they met in one of their glaring wars again would have had their helm explode. The intensity between them was immense, and their dislike for one another was only contained because of their mutual respect. Things had been done and actions had been performed that kept one another from attacking their so-called rival.

The moment that became void however, these two were going to be at each other's jugular.

For now, Arachnid merely stopped in the hall, aiming her stabbing ruby gaze on the scientist. Flamewar stared back, narrowing her optic slips dangerously thin. "Arachnid." she greeted coldly. Arachnid's lip plates hardened into a firm line, scorching words burning on her glossa. Now was not the time for personal rivalries. Even though Arachnid hadn't intentionally of came here -and she was quickly regretting that she had-, she knew the Decepticon could be useful. "Flamewar, I am...in need of your assistance." she grated out, loathing each word as she said them.

Flamewar's surprise betrayed her for a split moment before her optics slimmed again, suspicious. "Why? Planning on taking me out in silence?" the venomous humor in her voice singed Arachnid's pride even further and she emitted a low hiss in annoyance. The Decepticon leader let the spindly appendages on her spinal support curl over her, increasing the intimidating appearance of her image. To any other 'Con in her presence, they would have wisely cowered. Flamewar however, the one scientist and a near legendary species among a horde of lustful mechs, simply crossed her arms over her chassis and boldly lounged on the doorframe.

"It is for the benefit of our Lord." Arachnid sneered, snapping herself away in frustration. Trying to scare this fembot was time better spent by someone who was patient enough to use the energy required. Flamewar was a harder one to crack, and she wasn't going to be falling for Arachnid's old tricks anytime soon.

Flamewar's optics brightened upon hearing about her once master. Her expression became less arrogant and more interested as she stood straighter. Taking in this new light to her posture, Arachnid snorted and whipped away, stalking down the hall with the fembot scientist on her heelped. Perhaps taking her out in silence was not yet a negative idea...

Quiet musing overtook the commanding fembot as she led her peer to the bowels of the base. As she brooded on possible ways to eliminate her rival, she followed the tug of Master's fading essence through the tangled nest of halls. Small nudges on her consciousness would perk every so often, correcting her path if she was to make a mistake. Its collected manner was thrown aside as it grew more and more hyper in her advancement. At one point, Master shocked her aft, causing her to jump forward in surprise.

Not a breem later, Arachnid found herself back before the most important entryway of the entire underground structure. As she opened her optics, she found she hadn't realized they'd been shut in the first place. A careful swipe of her body allowed her to cover the keypad as she entered the passcode to allow access to the space beyond. A quiet hiss and a pop of the swinging metal barrier was the first of what she received for her efforts.

The fembots strode into the room, with Arachnid promptly shutting and locking the door behind them once they'd entered. Flamewar walked ahead, her steps slow as she allowed herself to look around in awe at what was around her. Apparently, she hadn't been allowed access to this room prior, for her expression was far too impressed to possibly be used to this sight. Arachnid glided past and drew up her noseplate at the black and red fembot as if she smelled something digusting. And in her processor, she did.

The other red occupant of the room, a mech medic, glanced up from the datapad in his digits, his features bored. They didn't change when he noticed his leader's approach. His companion was a bulky green medic, a mech, who was currently working on the massive body on the berth in the center of the room. "Arachnid, what a...pleasure to see you." Knockout commented lazily, returning to his datapad as he tread nearer to his patient and studied Hex's work so far. Arachnid held back a retort and instead focused on the main reason for her visit.

To say the frame was not large would be an insane understatement. It was easily forty feet tall from an optic standard, while the width of the shell appeared to be nearly as long as Arachnid herself. Trypticon might have been the largest Cybertronian Arachnid had ever seen, but this Decepticon creation...demanded far more respect.

"Tell me your progress so far on our Master's repairs." she snapped at Hex, who merely pulled back from said Master's frame and retracted the medical visor there. His wider optics took in her presence for a moment before he spoke a word, his overly studious processor of course forcing him to analyze and consider before taking action. "They're nearly done Mistress." he told her, twisting around to set aside the tools in his grasp, "Only a few minimal repairs need to be made before it is ready for assault."

"Can it support life as is?" she questioned, staring avidly at the empty husk. Hex paused, switching between the frame and his leader. Knockout set his datapad down, watching the exchange with a slightly more curious aura. "What are you planning, Mistress?" Knockout drug out the title, drowning his tone in mocking derision. Arachnid wound on him, transforming her lower half into her beast mode. She then lifted to her full height and crawled to where the mech was standing, leaning over him and forcing him to rear back hesitantly. "Was I addressing you, Knockout?" she growled, her towering figure swelling over his own, "Hex, is the frame capable of supporting life?" she repeated this while she glared at the red medic, his handsome features now full of uncertainty.

Arachnid snapped her helm to the side, finding the heavier mech standing apprehensively by the frame's side opposite of her. Flamewar gracefully entered into the mix, sliding a single servo infuriatingly slow up Master's new physic. She paused by the interface port, glancing up at her leader and smirking mischievously when the beast mode fembot snarled threateningly. Without missing a step, she coninued on, dipping her expert servos into the armoring and into the innards of the shell. "From what I can see, this frame is perfectly capable of holding a spark." she reported, sifting gently through the organized nest of parts, "However, work still needs to be done here and there if you want him to have a comfortable existence." without lifting her helm, Flamewar's optics shot up.

It took a moment for Arachnid to consider the effects laid upon her Master if she were to rush into things. However, she merely brushed these negative possibilities from her processor and focused on the presence twirling around her body. Master was close, she knew. It always came when she was near its awaiting home. It swirled amidst her six long legs, taking in the thin, but strong appendages and moving across the length of her body. Arachnid relaxed into the touch of Master, allowing it to travel up and around her chassis to her audio receptor. "Do it." it encouraged, "Do it so I may return...so I may take my rightful place!" the soft volume quickly grew, "To stand beside you! Do it!"

"Retrieve the AllSpark shard from the vault. Bring it to me." she ordered on reflex. Master's demanding request swayed Arachnid's state of self-control, and she became uncomfortable with the unconscious decision. Hex froze, the command clearly meant for him, but his reaction stalled. When Arachnid said nothing else against the sudden order, Flamewar jumped forward, grabbing his arm to stop him from moving. "You can't be serious!" she scoffed, steadily releasing the medic, "You had told us to retrieve Fera Lennox in order to use the Stone of Primus in reviving him. That shard is all we have left from Lord Megatron before he perished at the wrath of the Prime! You couldn't possibly wish to waste our kind's most p-"

"Waste?" Arachnid's six spider-like legs traveled the floor, her shadow barely stretching across half of the figure on the examining table, "Our Master's return is all I have care for. Not the survival of an artifact that no longer holds value within our species. Now retrieve what I have asked of you." Hex paused again, finally breaking Arachnid's patience, "Now!"

The mech was gone within the astrosecond, his legs unable to carry him fast enough out the door and to the awaiting shard chamber. Arachnid stared at the metallic block for a moment, her chassis quivering in both anxiety and excitement.

"You're insane." Knockout barked from behind. Arachnid twisted her cranial unit around to the mech, her optics narrowed, "The Shard is all we have left to revive our dwindling race and you just want to throw it away because you want the Big Man back so badly?"

"It is in my best interest that we revive our leader now, so as to not draw out his wait." Arachnid explained, turning towards him menacingly, "Beside that, Fembots are perfectly able to restart the growth of our species, no matter the exhausting wait that comes with them in doing so." she made her way over to the mech once more, determined on badgering him into feeling her unyielding authority, "Perhaps we may be able to demonstrate the ease in replacing said figure from our species by a fembot's sparkling creation."

Knockout backed down, crossing his arms with a stubborn glare to his optics. He wasn't going to say anything further to aggravate his leader, but he wasn't going to outright admit defeat either. To dare irritate Arachnid was a near death penalty for some if her anger was severe enough. However, if one held enough significance with her, or she was feeling abnormally 'merciful' at that time, then there could be a better chance for survival. It was best to simply follow order and never show defiance.

It was no wonder Soundwave and the Triple Changers were her favored Decepticons among the ranks.

Simmering personalities brushed aside, Arachnid walked on her disturbing six legs towards the awaiting spark chamber and cranial mechanism sitting idly beside Master's frame. A sense of anticipation passed through her as she gently brushed the tips of her digits over the container holding the precious supplies for her one and only Lord. The time was near. And everything, definite and pure, was falling into place. How many times had Megatron wished for this success? How many times had he'd been so close, yet failed so miserably? Not me, she prided herself, her lip plates stretching into a wide grin. Not to us.

A hiss and a pop from the door signaled Hex's return from the AllSpark chamber. A cool draft of stale air rushed in as he entered, causing a delighted shiver to run up Arachnid's spinal support. She turned to her underling and held out her servo, gesturing for the legendary artifact. Hex approached her calmly before handing her the small capsule that contained the AllSpark shard. The same one that they had found upon Megatron's death. The same one that they were going to use to resurrect that same Lord that fell to its power those decacycles ago. To a fleshling. A wretched, disgusting creature.

Brushing this thought off, Arachnid gripped the capsule close and ordered Hex and Knockout place the spark chamber and cerebral core back into their holder. The case in her servos vibrated warmly with pent-up energy. Hurried whispering whisked by her audios as Master grew restless and agitated. Arachnid herself was becoming impatient, and she showed so with a low growl after about a breem of Knockout and Hex's work.

"What is taking you so long?" she snapped, gaining an indifferent snort from Knockout. Flamewar stepped into the light again, taking her place at Master's peds with her optics studying her comrades' work closely. "This procedure takes time Arachnid." she informed, looking to her leader, "It's a delicate process trying to synchronize the parts with the main systems. They could reject the spark case and cerebral core, meaning that everything we've done here would be a complete and utter waste."

Although Arachnid hated to admit, this statement made her nervous. Master wouldn't allow itself to refuse its own cerebral core and spark, would it? Her answer came when Knockout and Hex pulled back, their work done and their efforts rewarded. The frame had accepted the case and core, so now all there was to do was to put life to a cold entity. Master released an accomplished bellow, its presence unable to move fast enough as it leapt into Megatron's once frame and made a home for itself in the deathly still armor. Arachnid inched forward, her digits fiddling with the latch of the Shard chamber. Now was it. It was time.

Arachnid undid the lid of the container and reached inside, producing the final fragment of their species' most prized possession. It felt alive in her palm, the entire body of the tiny sliver almost vibrating in her grasp. The glyphs and symbols scattered across the front blurred as a faint light emitted from what had once been but a legend. The last remaining sliver of the AllSpark was entirely in the center of Arachnid's servo. For a split astrosecond, she doubted if her actions were right, and she nearly changed her processor in reviving Master yet. If she were to capture Fera, then the AllSpark Shard would be saved for a later purpose.

However, before her processor could make itself up, Master rammed inside, startling her with its intensity. You will follow my orders, it boomed painfully within the walls of her cranial unit. The Stone of Primus is meant for a later time, while my time is now. Use the Shard. Or you will heavily regret your rebellions. And as if to prove its point, Master sent a paralyzing shock down her spinal relay, causing her to cringe and pause for a moment to regain herself. Her vents seized and released, leaving her gasping for air to cool her systems. A warning produced over the edge of her optics, threatening an involuntary shutdown if she was to continue exerting herself. Master withdrew from her consciousness, knowing that its point had been proven and its pet would cooperate.

Slowly, but steadily, Arachnid raised herself up again to her original height and started forward, her beast mode appendages allowing her to see clearly over Master's frame. The broad chassis sit open, the spark chamber exposed and vulnerable. Arachnid felt her tanks spinning and her processor stripped of its clarity. From Master's forced entry into her consciousness, she felt violated. Was she willing to risk herself further by releasing this beast, or was she damning herself to an excruciating end by resisting? She was as replaceable to Master as was a simple Vehicon in their ranks.

Coming to terms, the fembot situated the Shard in her digit tips, raising it above her helm. She swallowed the lubricant in her mouth, her nerves causing her spark to roar. Wiring along her limbs felt more alive than it had in a long time, tingling with anew energy that she hadn't felt for a long time. Her innards twisted uncomfortably, her fright at disobeying overtaking anything else. If she refused, her punishment would simply be death. However, if she obeyed...

No longer.

No more time to think.

And she plunged the shard into Master's chassis.

In doing this, the backlash from the energy knocked her off her peds, throwing her forcefully backwards and into the wall, the resounding crash from her armor colliding into the metal surface incredibly loud. White light burst before her optics, blinding her as she called out from the pain in her spinal support. A dent appeared around her body where she had struck, the armor along her side and spinal support creaking pathetically. Parts of her frame exploded into agony, the wiring exposed because of the pieces being ripped from her frame by the blast. Hot, searing wind coursed over her, burning the paint from her frame and causing the uncovered wiring to shrivel.

She would have screamed if she had been able to, but, all she could do was shield herself with her arms and pray that she lived. Another pulsing surge passed over her, ridding her cycling systems of any cool air. Pressure built up inside her, excess energy overloading her already strained core. She clapped her servos over her audio receptors, praying that they wouldn't shatter. Optics as dark as the night came online to the world, holding within them the very soul-sucking endlessness of the universe. A creature arose from the berth, rising above all around them in crushing enormity and taking up the entirety of Arachnid's hazy, obscured vision. Gravity itself pulled toward this form, riding on shivering waves as a piercing snarl rumbled deep enough to rattle her very core.

Then, that voice lifted along with the shadow. So cold...so horrid. But at the same time, it was so full of power...so...incredible.

"I...AM...GALVATRON."

And he rises!

It looks like our Autobots have quite the work on their plates.

Fera handled herself well I think,

Especially with someone like Prowl.

You wouldn't expect the both of to be similar...

Anywho, let's hope Solas gets back to Fera and kisses her, blah blah blah,

I know the drill ;)

Thank you all for reading, and I hope to hear what you think, and to see you all next week!

*Chapter Inspiration: Two Steps From Hell= United We Stand, Divided We Fall*